December 6, 2019 •
U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Calls Special Session for Amendment to Cannabis Law
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. announced a special session for December 18. The special session is to consider an amendment to the Medicinal Cannabis Patient Care Act. The amendment provides more regulatory controls and enables the generation of tax and fee […]
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. announced a special session for December 18.
The special session is to consider an amendment to the Medicinal Cannabis Patient Care Act.
The amendment provides more regulatory controls and enables the generation of tax and fee revenues.
If passed, the amendment would allow for the sale of cannabis products to tourists and create a regulated system to prevent fraud, increase transparency, testing, licensing and penalties.
November 21, 2019 •
West Virginia Special Session Adjourns
While the West Virginia Senate approved three bills during the special legislative session, the House is leaving one measure for the December interim meetings. The Senate adjourned the special session sine die after quickly passing versions of all three bills […]
While the West Virginia Senate approved three bills during the special legislative session, the House is leaving one measure for the December interim meetings.
The Senate adjourned the special session sine die after quickly passing versions of all three bills without substantial debates.
Lawmakers approved legislation to limit DUI expungement procedures to be in compliance with federal regulations.
Additionally, legislation approved limits spending authority for debt service payments for the second and third rounds of the general obligation bonds.
However, the House placed Senate Bill 2001 on second reading, which extends tax credits for tourism development projects through December 2025.
The House adjourned until asked to come back.
November 18, 2019 •
West Virginia Governor Calls for Special Session
Gov. Jim Justice issued a proclamation calling for the West Virginia Legislature to convene in special session on Monday, November 18. The session will coincide with regularly scheduled interim committee meetings. The purpose of the special session is to consider […]
Gov. Jim Justice issued a proclamation calling for the West Virginia Legislature to convene in special session on Monday, November 18.
The session will coincide with regularly scheduled interim committee meetings.
The purpose of the special session is to consider three bills.
The first bill would amend the West Virginia Tourism Act to extend the availability of the Tourism Development Act Tax Credit Program and authorize the tourism office to participate in reviewing, processing, and approving applications.
The second bill would bring certain DUI expungement procedures into compliance with federal law.
The third bill relates to spending authority for debt service payments on roads to prosperity general obligation bonds for rounds two and three.
Also on the call is legislation to pay for the special session.
Interim meetings are already scheduled for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.
October 31, 2019 •
Illinois Lawmakers Convene for Veto Session
Lawmakers are back in Springfield for a six-day abbreviated veto session to address major laws passed earlier this year. The veto session convened October 28 through October 30, and reconvenes from November 12 through November 14. The veto session agenda […]
Lawmakers are back in Springfield for a six-day abbreviated veto session to address major laws passed earlier this year.
The veto session convened October 28 through October 30, and reconvenes from November 12 through November 14.
The veto session agenda includes reviewing video gambling, marijuana, and vaping legislation.
October 31, 2019 •
Wisconsin Calls Special Session on Gun Control
Gov. Tony Evers called for the Legislature to convene in a special session on November 7 to vote on gun control legislation. The bills require universal background checks for all firearm purchases in the state. The legislation would also implement […]
Gov. Tony Evers called for the Legislature to convene in a special session on November 7 to vote on gun control legislation.
The bills require universal background checks for all firearm purchases in the state.
The legislation would also implement red-flag laws requiring people perceived as threats to surrender their firearms.
The impact of a special session may be limited, as lawmakers plan to convene and then immediately adjourn the special session on the same day without voting on the proposals.
September 17, 2019 •
New Hampshire Legislature to Reconvene for Veto Session
The General Court of New Hampshire is set to reconvene this week for a veto session over 55 bills vetoed by Gov. Chris Sununu. The Legislature will discuss bills relating to firearm sales, renewal energy, and campaign finance transparency. Lawmakers […]
The General Court of New Hampshire is set to reconvene this week for a veto session over 55 bills vetoed by Gov. Chris Sununu.
The Legislature will discuss bills relating to firearm sales, renewal energy, and campaign finance transparency.
Lawmakers will review Senate Bill 156 concerning political contributions by limited liability companies.
The bill requires political contributions made by a limited liability company to be allocated to members for the purpose of contribution limits.
The House of Representatives is scheduled to meet for two days on September 18 and 19. The Senate is scheduled for one day on Thursday, September 19.
September 11, 2019 •
Hawaii to Hold Special Session on State Court Nominees
The Hawaii Senate will convene in special session on September 16 to review gubernatorial nominees to the state courts. The gubernatorial nominees up for consideration by the Senate are: Clyde J. Wadsworth to the Intermediate Court of Appeals as associate […]
The Hawaii Senate will convene in special session on September 16 to review gubernatorial nominees to the state courts.
The gubernatorial nominees up for consideration by the Senate are:
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- Clyde J. Wadsworth to the Intermediate Court of Appeals as associate judge for a term of 10 years
- Kevin A.K. Souza to the First Circuit Court for a 10-year term
- Lisa W. Cataldo to the First Circuit Court for a term to expire in 10 years
- Ronald G. Johnson to the First Circuit Court for a 10-year term
- Trish K. Morikawa to the First Circuit Court for a term to expire in 10 years
- John M. Tonaki to the First Circuit Court for a 10-year term
- Jeffrey A. Hawk to the Third District Court for a six-year term
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Hearings on the appointees before the Senate Committee on Judiciary are scheduled to begin on September 10.
September 10, 2019 •
Utah Governor Calls Special Legislative Session
Gov. Gary Herbert called for a special session of the Utah Legislature to convene on September 16. The session will focus on issues related to dispensing medical cannabis, appropriating census funding, and making several other technical adjustments. Legislators will have […]
Gov. Gary Herbert called for a special session of the Utah Legislature to convene on September 16.
The session will focus on issues related to dispensing medical cannabis, appropriating census funding, and making several other technical adjustments.
Legislators will have an opportunity to discuss and receive public comments on the issues, deliberate on matters, and take possible action.
August 27, 2019 •
Maine Adjourns Special Session After Passing $105 Million Transportation Bond
Maine lawmakers voted to pass Gov. Janet Mills’ proposed $105 million bond to fund transportation efforts during the one-day special legislative session on Monday, August 26. The transportation bond to upgrade roads, bridges, ports, rail and air transportation, and to […]
Maine lawmakers voted to pass Gov. Janet Mills’ proposed $105 million bond to fund transportation efforts during the one-day special legislative session on Monday, August 26.
The transportation bond to upgrade roads, bridges, ports, rail and air transportation, and to repair culverts and restore a commercial fishing wharf will now head to the ballot for voters on November 5.
The three proposed bonds for land conservation projects; infrastructure and economic development; and environment and energy projects all failed to reach the two-thirds vote needed to pass.
August 26, 2019 •
Mills Hopes to See Four Bond Bills Passed in Maine Special Session
Maine Gov. Janet Mills issued a proclamation calling for a special legislative session to be held on Monday, August 26. The session will be used to consider bond proposals in transportation; infrastructure and economic development; environmental protection; and land conservation […]
Maine Gov. Janet Mills issued a proclamation calling for a special legislative session to be held on Monday, August 26.
The session will be used to consider bond proposals in transportation; infrastructure and economic development; environmental protection; and land conservation totaling $163 million.
The transportation proposal provides $105 million to upgrade roads, bridges, ports, rail and air transportation, and to repair culverts and restore a commercial fishing wharf.
The infrastructure and economic development proposal provides $23 million to be divided among education centers, the National Guard, and high-speed internet access in rural Maine.
The environmental protection proposal provides $15 million to be divided among the Department of Environmental Protection, the improvement of municipal wastewater infrastructures, and the Heating Fuels Efficiency and Weatherization Fund to provide low-interest loans for energy efficiency projects, including heat pumps for residential homeowners.
The land conservation proposal provides $20 million for the Land for Maine’s Future program to be dispersed over two years to preserve farmland, working waterfronts, and other natural resources.
Proposals passed during the special session will appear on the ballot on November 5.
Bonds need a two-thirds vote in each chamber to pass.
August 26, 2019 •
Tennessee Rep. Sexton Becomes Speaker in Single-Day Special Session
The Tennessee Legislature held a single-day special session to formally elect c as speaker of the House. Sexton, a Crossville Republican, had already been informally chosen for the role after a series of votes in a July caucus meeting. Sexton […]
The Tennessee Legislature held a single-day special session to formally elect c as speaker of the House.
Sexton, a Crossville Republican, had already been informally chosen for the role after a series of votes in a July caucus meeting.
Sexton replaces Glen Casada, who resigned from the speakership earlier this month.
August 26, 2019 •
Missouri Special Session Set for September 9
Gov. Mike Parson has scheduled a special legislative session to begin on September 9. Parsons hopes to see legislation passed allowing individuals to count the sales earning of multiple vehicles as credits against the sales tax of a replacement vehicle. […]
Gov. Mike Parson has scheduled a special legislative session to begin on September 9.
Parsons hopes to see legislation passed allowing individuals to count the sales earning of multiple vehicles as credits against the sales tax of a replacement vehicle.
Revenue officials had allowed this until a June Missouri Supreme Court ruling said current law only permits a single vehicle to count for the tax credit.
The session is unlikely to cost the state much as it coincides with an already scheduled annual veto session on September 11.
August 20, 2019 •
Maine Gov. Mills Calls Special Session
Maine Gov. Janet Mills has called a special session to begin on Monday, August 26. Mills hopes the Legislature will pass four bond bills totaling $163 million to raise funds for a variety of infrastructure projects. The Legislature rejected a […]
Maine Gov. Janet Mills has called a special session to begin on Monday, August 26.
Mills hopes the Legislature will pass four bond bills totaling $163 million to raise funds for a variety of infrastructure projects.
The Legislature rejected a more ambitious bond proposal backed by Mills before its June adjournment.
August 8, 2019 •
Alaska Second Special Session Ends
The second special session of the Alaska Legislature that began with controversy and division ended quietly on Tuesday with no further legislative action. Tuesday marked the 30-day session limit. The Legislature approved restoring much of the operating budget money Gov. […]
The second special session of the Alaska Legislature that began with controversy and division ended quietly on Tuesday with no further legislative action.
Tuesday marked the 30-day session limit.
The Legislature approved restoring much of the operating budget money Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed.
Additionally, the Legislature approved a $1,600 pay out of the permanent fund dividend.
Gov. Dunleavy did not give a clear indication of whether he may call a third special session, but he must give a 30-day notice before the legislators must appear again.
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